Etiquette of the Game

All members are required to observe the rules and etiquette of golf. Adherence to these rules ensures that members do not suffer through lack of consideration.

Special attention is drawn to the following:

Adhere strictly to the time sheets and be on the tee seven minutes before your time.

Kindly keep your place in the field. If unable to do so, signal the match behind you to play through.

Divot holes must be filled with material provided by the Club in conveniently-placed containers at various tees.

All bunkers must be repaired after playing your shots. Leave rakes outside the bunkers.

No-one should move or talk or stand directly behind the ball or the hole when a player is making a stroke.

Only you and your caddie may look for a lost ball.

Walk around the greens and tees, not over them. Park your golf cart behind the green and to the side nearest to the next teeing ground.

Leave the green immediately after the hole has been completed.

Do not practise on the fairways.

Help keep the course clean.

See that the caddie does not damage the hole when removing and replacing the flags.

Bear with your caddie, he is doing his best.

Remember to repair pitch marks on the greens and stamp down spike marks after everyone has putted out.

Bad weather

When the siren sounds, immediately leave the course and return to the clubhouse, halfway house or rain shelters. Play may only continue when the siren sounds twice.

The spirit of the game

Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

No disturbance or distraction

Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making unnecessary noise.

Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.

On the teeing ground, players should not tee their balls until it is their turn to play.

On the putting green

Players should not stand on another player’s line of putt or, when the player is making a stroke, cast a shadow over the line of putt. Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

Scoring

In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.

Pace of play

Players should play at a good pace. The committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.

Be ready to play

Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they or their caddies should leave their bags, carts or trolleys in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

Lost ball

If players believes their balls may be lost outside a water hazard or they are out of bounds, to save time, they should play a provisional ball. In each case, the player must inform their marker that the ball being played is a provisional ball. Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.

Priority on the course

Unless otherwise determined by the committee, priority on the course is determined by a group’s pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.

Safety

Players should ensure that no-one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing. Players should not play until the players in front are out of range. Players should always alert players nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, a warning should immediately be shouted. The traditional word of warning in such situations is ‘fore’.

Lightning rule: updated

As per the rule book issued by the R&A.

When play is suspended by the committee for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and not resume play until the committee has ordered a resumption of play. If players fail to discontinue play immediately, they are disqualified unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 33-7.

The signal for suspending play due to a dangerous situation will be a prolonged note of the siren.

Play may only continue when the siren sounds twice.

Sandbags are compulsory at all times

Wanderers Golf Club not only has a wonderfully warm club spirit, but a challenging golf course that is rated one of the best in Gauteng.